A Phat Death: Or, the Last Days of Noir Soul

Norman Kelley. Akashic Books, $14.95 (236pp) ISBN 978-1-888451-48-1

Nina Halligan takes on the recording industry and black music in Norman Kelly's third outrageous caper (after 2000's The Big Mango) to feature the bad girl PI, A Phat Death: A Nina Halligan Mystery. Once again outspoken social criticism fires the nonstop action. The format, which resembles a CD jewel box (chapters are ""tracks""), is particularly distinctive.

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